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Smithsonian won't pull Cosby-funded art exhibit after charges

The criminal charges filed Wednesday against Bill Cosby won't lead to any changes to a Cosby-funded art exhibit at a Smithsonian museum.

Spokesman for National Museum of African Art says exhibit will close as scheduled on Jan. 24

Quilts from the Bill and Camille Cosby collection hang at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art in Washington. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)

The criminal charges filed Wednesday against Bill Cosby won't lead to any changes to a Cosby-funded art exhibit at a Smithsonian museum.

Eddie Burke, a spokesman for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, said Wednesday that the exhibit will close as scheduled on Jan. 24. He says no changes will be made to a posted disclaimer that says the museum does not condone Cosby's alleged behaviour.

Members of the media tour the Bill and Camille Cosby collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art in Washington. About one-third of the works on display in the exhibit come from the couple's private collection. (Evan VucciéAssociated Press)

About a third of the works on display in the exhibit come from the private collection of Cosby and his wife, Camille. Cosby also funded the exhibit with a $716,000 gift.

Smithsonian officials debated whether to pull the exhibit after revelations about Cosby's behaviour with women in court documents unsealed earlier this year. Cosby was charged Wednesday with aggravated indecent assault.

Bill Cosby criminally charged

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